Join Us Right After the OCOF Policy Summit

Right after the wrap-up of the Our Children Our Future Policy Summit, join us in the Governor’s Conference Room (inside the Secretary of State’s office) on September 15 at 12:30 PM for the release of the report, “Tax Reform That Protects Roads, Children and Seniors.”

A diverse coalition of organizations that cares about kids, families, seniors and working people, community organizations and local governments will come together to support basic principles of fair taxation for legislators to consider as they deliberate changes to the tax code.

Extending Important Tax Credits

The federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) help thousands of working West Virginia families make ends meet. But unless Congress acts, 131,000 children in 81,000 families in West Virginia could lose an important piece of their family budgets when critical provisions of the EITC and CTC expire.

To put the numbers in perspective, a single mother with two children in Huntington who works full time at $8.75/hour, earning just $17,500/year, would lose $1,565 of her $2,000 CTC.

The Unworthy Poor

The Our Children Our Future Policy Summit is an annual gathering of those working to end child poverty in West Virginia. For further inspiration, read this brief but powerful essay, “Our Perceptions About the Unworthy Poor Haven’t Changed.”

It concludes with this: “Only when we change a system that traps so many Americans in a struggle to meet their basic needs will we create an economy defined by opportunity and the chance for anyone to thrive.”

Relief for Coal Communities

There was more national attention on the decline of the region’s coal industry this week. This Bloomberg article touches upon how Appalachian communities are passing resolutions of support for President Obama’s Power Plus Plan. It also quotes WVCBP Executive Director Ted Boettner on how funding the West Virginia Future Fund will provide resources for communities once the jobs are gone.

For perspective on why West Virginia should embrace the Power Plus Plan, check out this oped by former State Senator Dan Foster in this week’s Charleston Gazette-Mail.

Remembering 9/11

Last Week to Register for Our Children Our Future Policy Summit!

It’s almost here! It’s almost time for the Our Children Our Future Policy Summit. Have you registered yet?

We are partial but think you’ll especially want to attend the panel discussion on Participatory Budgeting, Tax Reform and the state Earned Income Tax Credit featuring our very own Ted Boettner and Sean O’Leary!

Tax Reform for ALL West Virginians

On September 15, Day Two of the Policy Summit, stick around for the release of our Tax Fairness Statement of Principles. Dozens of organizations have signed on to let the Joint Committee on Tax Reform, and the rest of the legislature know, that when it comes to tax reform, they need to remember all West Virginia families, including those living in poverty.

Any push for tax reform in West Virginia needs to remember working families. We will ask legislators to create a state Earned Income Tax Credit so that West Virginia can join the 25 other states and the District of Columbia who reward hard-working families who need a hand up to pay for their basic needs.

Come by the Governor’s Conference Room (inside the Secretary of State’s office) at 12:30PM on Tuesday, September 15 and help us deliver this important message.

Seth DiStefano Joins Our Team!

This week Seth DiStefano came on board as our State EITC Campaign Coordinator. Seth is a native West Virginian and has worked with progressive coalitions in the state before as Field Organizer for the ACLU WV. His goal is to make West Virginia the 26th state to have its own EITC, providing a tax credit to low-income working families, and helping workers stay on the job.

Welcome, Seth!

WVCBP In the News

National (and international) focus on West Virginia’s economy continued this week with the Wall Street Journal, Nasdaq and the Australian reporting on the ripple effect to other businesses as the state’s coal industry continues to slow, citing WVCBP data.

As stock markets around the globe continue their roller coaster ride, the ups and downs are unlikely to be felt in West Virginia. Read what Ted had to say in this week’s Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram.

No Matter Where They Live, Women In Unions Earn More

To commemorate Women’s Equality Day and the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote, this week the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) released a new report on women in unions. The report found that women in unions earn more than women who are not in a union. This holds true in every state including West Virginia.

According to the study, women in unions earn an average of $212, or 30.9%, more per week than women in nonunion jobs.

How Much Does it Take to Make Ends Meet in West Virginia?

A new Family Budget calculator from the Economic Policy Institute shows that a two-parent family with two children living in rural West Virginia needs $61,579 to get by and afford basic expenses. That same family earning the state’s minimum wage earns just $33,280.

Enacting a refundable West Virginia Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) would give a boost to these families by putting more money in their pockets to pay for basic necessities. It would also improve our state’s upside-down tax system and help create more jobs in its rural areas.

WVCBP Executive Director Ted Boettner was quoted in both articles, here in the Journal-Constitution: “People want cleaner energy, but the coal industry just doesn’t know how to pivot and produce a cleaner product. Many of West Virginia’s remaining coal seams are also thinning out, making it harder to produce coal at a competitive price.”

Federal assistance could help struggling coal communities through President Obama’s proposed Power Plus Plan. The plan would provide $20 million to retrain laid-off coal miners and $25 million to the Appalachian Regional Commission to assist those communities in making an economic transition to new technologies.

For more on West Virginia’s jobs crisis, and which employment sectors are being hit the hardest, read Ted’s blog post from this week.

West Virginia Health Impact Assessments Meeting

Help create healthier, wealthier and wiser Communities! Find out how you can utilize Health Impact Assessments to assess population health during the decision-making process about a broad range of public policies, programs and projects before they are implemented on September 3 in Charleston from 9:00 AM to noon.

Registration Open for Our Children Our Future Policy Summit!

Join West Virginians from across the state on September 14 and 15 to lead policy strategy sessions on 27 issues affecting kids and families. This event is an opportunity for citizens to learn more about policy efforts throughout their communities, engage with their elected officials and interact with dozens of policy organizations!

Tax Overhaul Committee Looks at Tax Credits

The legislature’s Tax Reform Committee met again this week, this time to discuss the state’s wide range of tax credits and their effect on economic development.

An important tax credit in place in 26 other states is the Earned Income Tax Credit which is modeled after, and augments, the federal credit. These pro-work credits incentivize work, and help low-income workers pay for child care, transportation and other expenses.

And here’s more in the Charleston Gazette-Mail on one single mother’s success story in starting her own business with the help of the federal EITC and the staff at a Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site in Huntington.

There are more details on how a state EITC could benefits tens of thousands of West Virginia families in this WVCBP report.

Power + Plan Could Bring Much-Needed Resources to Struggling Communities

Workers who have lost their jobs due to the coal industry’s decline could get relief under President Obama’s Power + Plan. The plan would provide retraining for coal miners and other resources to help the region’s economy transition as coal declines. Here’s more in this week’s Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram.

Faced with low natural gas prices and falling coal productivity, the coal industry is facing big challenges in West Virginia. Here’s more in the Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram on why it’s time for West Virginia to begin producing the cleaner energy sources of the future.

Freedom School Registration

Do you know young people ages 14-22 who are passionate about learning how to end racism in West Virginia? Encourage them to attend next weekend’s Freedom School in Charleston from August 28-30. Spots are filling up quickly, so encourage them to apply as soon as possible!

Place Matters Webinar

Plan to join the Place Matters webinar to highlight the recently published report “Blueprints to Action: Community Strategies to End Racism and Promote Racial Healing” on August 26 from 2:00 to 3:15 PM.

The webinar is a collaborative effort of the PLACE MATTERS national learning community. PLACE MATTERS is a national initiative of the National Collaborative for Health Equity designed to build the capacity of leaders and communities around the country to identify and address the social, economic, and environmental factors that shape health and life opportunities.

Using a place-based approach, PLACE MATTERS seeks to address community issues such as poverty concentration, residential segregation, and the inequitable distribution of health risks and resources that too often accompanies them.

West Virginia Health Impact Assessments Meeting

Help create healthier, wealthier and wiser Communities! Find out how you can utilize Health Impact Assessments to assess population health during the decision-making process about a broad range of public policies, programs and projects before they are implemented on September 3 in Charleston from 9:00 AM to noon.

This year’s McCreight Lecturer is Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Eric Foner. His 7:30 p.m. lecture on October 22 at the University of Charleston is free and open to the public.

Registration Open for Our Children Our Future Policy Summit!

Join West Virginians from across the state on September 14 and 15 to lead policy strategy sessions on 27 issues affecting kids and families. This event is an opportunity for citizens to learn more about policy efforts throughout their communities, engage with their elected officials and interact with dozens of policy organizations!

Tickets Available Now

Tickets are now available for West Virginians for Affordable Health Care’s Annual Reception and Fundraiser, featuring keynote speaker, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Sylvia Mathews Burwell. Email WVAHC Executive Director Terri Giles for more information.

Swift Reaction to Clean Power Plan

Reaction to President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, which calls for a decrease in carbon emissions in order to combat climate change, came quickly this week, as reported in the Charleston Gazette-Mail. Many policymakers in West Virginia are threatening legal action in what they see as an attack on the region’s already-struggling coal industry.

Coal production has been on the decline for years, particularly in central Appalachia, in large part due to the huge increase in natural gas production, much of that right here in West Virginia. As Ted stated in the article, “coal is running out of customers and we need to adapt our economy to one that produces more clean energy that customers want. A crucial aspect of ensuring that the Clean Power plan works for West Virginia will be the ability of our congressional delegation to push strongly for investments to help coal communities diversify their economies and protect the pensions and benefits of coal miners.”

More Manufacturing Jobs Lost

Along with coal-mining jobs, West Virginia has lost many of its manufacturing section jobs in recent years. A reminder of those losses came this week when Century Aluminum announced it would shut down.

It is also a reminder that West Virginia needs to do more to build jobs of the future, as Ted states in this Charleston Gazette-Mail article.

Medicaid Important to West Virginia Children

As Medicaid turns 50, an oped by WVCBP President Renate Pore explains why it is such an important program for West Virginia families and children.

More than half of all children in West Virginia are covered by Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). And research shows that providing children with quality health care coverage makes them healthier, more productive adults.

Youngest members of the WVCBP family: Madeline O’Leary (held by dad Sean) and Sid Boettner (photo by Rebecca Roth).

Register Today for the Beckley and Huntington Our Children Our Future Policy Workshops!

Medicaid at 50 Helping More West Virginians Live Healthier Lives

Medicaid provides health coverage that helps low-income seniors, children and people with disabilities get needed health care. It provides parents and other adults economic security through health coverage that protect them from medical debt and allows them to stay healthy and work. It is jointly run by the federal and state governments.

For more on what Medicaid means to West Virginia as we mark its 50th birthday, here’s Brooke’s blog post from this week.

Coal Miners’ Struggle

Last weekend, the New York Times ran this letter to the editor from WVCBP Executive Director Ted Boettner. For more, here’s a link to his post in the Hill Congress blog.

We must not forget that these communities fueled our expansion westward, energized the Industrial Revolution and powered our victory in two world wars. They deserve our respect and gratitude in their time of need.

These communities have suffered from painful boom-and-bust cycles, lost friends and family from the hazards of mining, and have seen Appalachia remain one of the poorest communities in America.

While we can’t undo the past, we can build a brighter future that honors their sacrifices and hard work. That’s why Congress must act swiftly by supporting the proposed Power Plus plan, which invests in economic diversification initiatives that help retool workers for emerging opportunities, while shoring up funding for the health and retirement benefits workers have earned.

After all that they’ve given us, we mustn’t leave coal communities behind.

Fast Facts: More Tax Cuts Will Not Grow West Virginia’s Economy

This week we released the third installment of our Fast Facts series, with this issue focusing on how cutting business taxes has not helped grow the state’s economy in the past, and won’t do so in the future. And it hasn’t helped in other states either.

Strong Rule Needed on Pay Day Lending

This fall, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will release its rule on regulating payday lending. While West Virginia consumers already are protected under state law, they can still be victimized across the border or through online loan companies.

The WVCBP is calling on our Congressional delegation to urge the CFPB to put consumers first as they finalize their rule. Here’s more in this week’s Charleston Gazette-Mail.

Register Today for the Beckley and Huntington Our Children Our Future Policy Workshops!

Check Out Fast Facts!

This summer we are launching a series of short publications to present the facts on issues of the day. Our premiere issue of Fast Facts is about the ongoing debate on the state’s prevailing wage. This quick read will give you everything you need to know on this important issue impacting West Virginia working families.

Here’s more, including what area contractors are saying about changes to the state’s prevailing wage, from West Virginia Public News Service.

Letting Tax Credits Expire Will Hurt Working Families

Pro-work tax credits are helping thousands of West Virginia families make ends meet. Key provisions of two important anti-poverty credits, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC), are set to expire and Congress needs to act to make these benefits permanent. Here’s more in our oped in the Huntington Herald-Dispatch.

Did you know? A single mother with two children who works full time at the minimum wage – earning $14,500 – would lose her entire CTC of $1,725 if Congress fails to act.

ICYMI – We Are Hiring!

The WVCBP has an immediate opening for a policy outreach coordinator. This key staff person will build our capacity through partnerships and the development of new relationships; help educate advocates, the media, and the public on policy proposals and issues; help mobilize communities around important public policy issues, produce opinion pieces, presentations, and other materials; and provide advocates, the media, policymakers and the public with timely, accessible, and credible research and analysis on issues impacting their communities.

Please share this complete job description with anyone who you think is interested and qualified for this challenging and rewarding position with full benefits and a competitive salary.

Registration Open for Policy Workshops

Have you registered yet? This year’s Policy Workshops are just around the corner. These day-long events are your opportunity to:

get top-notch leadership and policy training,

meet other top community leaders and legislators from both parties,

and get a chance to shape the hot button issues that will define the next legislative session.

Check out the information below about the issues being discussed at each workshop, and follow the links to REGISTER NOW!

Congress Must Save Tax Credits that Help Veteran and Military Families

Congress has a chance this year to save key provisions of pro-work tax credits that help 15,000 veteran and military families make ends meet. This Fourth of July, let’s honor our veterans and men and women in uniform by making sure these tax credits continue to be there for them and their children.

Join the WVCBP Team!

The WVCBP has an immediate opening for a policy outreach coordinator. This key staff person will build our capacity through partnerships and the development of new relationships; help educate advocates, the media, and the public on policy proposals and issues; help mobilize communities around important public policy issues, produce opinion pieces, presentations, and other materials; and provide advocates, the media, policymakers and the public with timely, accessible, and credible research and analysis on issues impacting their communities.

Please share this complete job description with anyone who you think is interested and qualified for this challenging and rewarding position with full benefits and a competitive salary.

Yes, We Should Tax Coal Like Natural Gas

This week the Select Committee on Tax Reform held the latest in its series of meetings, this time with a focus on local property taxation. The discussion turned to the difference in assessment of coal property and natural gas property. The current system gives coal an advantage that, if eliminated, would provide nearly $200 million in local property tax revenue to fund the state’s schools and other important programs. Here’s more in Ted’s blog post.

New Overtime Rules Proposed

Good news for workers this week with the Obama Administration announcing an update to the outdated overtime rule raising the annual salary threshold from $23,660 to $50,440. In 1975 the rule applied to over 60% of workers but, due to inflation, that number is now just 8%. Modernizing this rule will affect 20,000 West Virginia workers. Here’s more in Sean’s blog post.

Great WVPBS Series: Front Porch

Former WVCBP board member Rick Wilson continues to knock it out of the park in the WV Public Broadcasting series “Front Porch.” Here’s this week’s edition which covers the new Republican legislature’s work to repeal the state’s prevailing wage.

Registration Open for Policy Workshops

Get ready for the best Policy Workshops ever. These day-long events are your opportunity to:

get top-notch leadership and policy training,

meet other top community leaders and legislators from both parties,

and get a chance to shape the hot button issues that will define the next legislative session.

Spots are limited. Check out the information below about the issues being discussed at each workshop, and follow the links to REGISTER NOW!

Registration will close one week out from each event. The Policy Workshops are designed for people who really want to join one of the issue teams above, OR for people who want to come and learn more broadly about leadership, communications, and policy development.

This Father’s Day: Helping Working Fathers

Two working-family tax credits, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), are powerful tools for reducing children’s poverty and helping families put food on the table, while boosting the local economy.

About 13 million fathers in low- and moderate-income working families received either the EITC or the low-income portion of the CTC in 2012. About 72,000 of those fathers live right here in West Virginia.

It’s time to call on Congress to make permanent key provisions of the EITC and Child Tax Credit (CTC) instead of pushing these working dads into poverty.

The goal of the federal Clean Power Plan is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030. The report lays out ways in which West Virginia can meet that goal. Here’s more from West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

The Cost of Unhealthy Lifestyles

Earlier this month, Ted presented at the annual Try This conference in Buckhannon, WV. The topic of his presentation was Healthy Lifestyles and Economic Development.

His presentation focused on the benefits of a healthy population including lower health care costs and greater economic productivity.

In 2009, the cost of obesity alone cost West Virginia $1.2 billion.

More Job Opportunities

Here are more job openings with the The Our Children, Our Future Campaign. For more, please see last week’s Budget Beat.

1. Looking for Try This VISTAs! Try This is an exciting movement to help knock WV off the top of the worst health lists (trythiswv.com). VISTAs are full-time, 35-hour/week, federal positions that receive a $449 stipend every two weeks plus some help with student loans. If you are interested, send a cover letter and resume to Stephen Smith (with VISTA in the subject heading) that clearly states your reason for wanting the position, your desired start date (June or August), the particular skills and experiences you want to bring to the organization, and what area(s) of the project you are most interested in working on, and why. Go here for more information.

2. Become an OCOF Volunteer or Intern! Interns/volunteers must give at least 10 hours/week for at least 4 weeks (though we encourage longer commitments). We have internships in a wide range of areas – community organizing, policy issue research and support, conference and event planning, policy advocacy, on-line media and activism, fundraising, strategy, and data management. If you are interested, please send a cover letter and resume to Stephen Smith clearly stating the time you have available, your specific interest areas, and a paragraph about what your ideal internship or volunteer experience would look like.

3. Jobs at KISRA. KISRA (Kanawha Institute for Social Research and Action) has regular job postings up here: Current positions include a part-time culinary instructor.

4. Can’t knock on doors? Volunteer from your own computer two-five hours/week doing data entry.Contact Alexandra with “Data Volunteer” in the subject heading if you are interested in becoming one of our treasured data entry volunteers.

Income Tax Cuts for Wealthy Unlikely To Boost West Virginia Economy

As the legislative committee charged with overhauling the state’s tax system continues its regular meetings, concerns continue over what recommendations will emerge from this process.

Reducing or outright eliminating the state’s personal income tax has been a regular topic of discussion before the committee. Legislators have lots of examples of how such proposals can impact a state’s budget and in Part III of his blog series on the issue, Ted explains several outcomes.

In 2016, the $1.9 billion expected to be collected in personal income taxes alone in West Virginia could nearly pay for the state’s public education costs. That’s a lot of money to replace in the state budget and getting rid of it will likely mean deep funding cuts for schools and other important services, making West Virginia an unattractive place to live, work, and raise a family.

Supreme Court Decision Could Impact Thousands in West Virginia

Once again the fate of the Affordable Care Act is before the U.S. Supreme Court. In late June or early July, the Court is expected to rule in the King v. Burwell case. According to the Urban Institute, a ruling in favor of the plaintiff could cause 41,000 West Virginians to lose their tax credits, and 49,000 West Virginians to drop their insurance plans due to rising costs. Here’s more.

Deadline for Policy Proposals to Help Fight Poverty in WV

Time is running out to submit a policy proposal for the Our Children, Our Future Campaign’s annual Policy Workshops and Symposium.

Making your voice heard on an issue you think needs attention will require a submitted application and participation in at least one workshop and the symposium.

The deadline to apply is Monday, June 15!

Job Opportunities

The Our Children, Our Future Campaign has several job opening available now!

1. Full-time Try This Coordinator: Try This West Virginia is a statewide movement of West Virginians who want to help knock our state off the top of the worst health lists, community by community. This person would work with the Try This directors to help expand the movement. This is a dream job for the right person – someone who has a passion for healthy food and physical activity and a wide range of skills to help us build the Try This movement. Go here for more information.

2. Full-time, Our Children, Our Future Regional Organizer: perfect candidate will work hard to 1) bring new leaders and volunteers into our work, 2) help plan events/candidate forums/trainings in their region, and 3) lead advocacy efforts on a wide range of issues related to children and family. Pay is competitive ($32-38k, plus health benefits, generous vacation, and travel reimbursement) and position will likely cover the northern region of the state. To apply send a cover letter that gives details about why you are interested in the position and what skills/experiences you will bring to the table; 2 professional references; and a resume to Stephen Smith.

3. Our Vote, Our Future Door-to-Door Organizer. Earn ~$10/hour going door-to-door, registering and educating voters about key issues that affect children and families, and asking them to take action by making a donation or writing a letter. Hours are 2pm-10pm. Canvass is based in Charleston, but will sometimes travel. Must have experience fundraising or be willing to learn. E-mail a cover letter and resume to Alexandra Gallo.

Working For a Shared Prosperity - The West Virginia
Center on Budget and Policy focuses on how policy decisions
affect all West Virginians, including low- and moderate-income
families, other vulnerable populations, and the important
community programs that serve them.